I read this book in about four days. It was really gripping, unexpected, and exciting. I couldn’t put the book down easily. Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson is completely unexpected in many ways, and it keeps you on edge the entire time. The mixture of mystery, romance, and excitement will keep readers everywhere wondering what’s going to happen next.

Following up on their incredible success with the Neil Gaiman book signing, Old Firehouse Books is excited to announce their next bestselling science fiction author event. On Sunday, August 23rd at 3pm fans will be invited to a book talk and signing with acclaimed author John Scalzi. Scalzi is the author of several New York Times bestselling novels, including the Old Man’s War series. This event will mark the release of the next book in the series, The End of All Things.

The book talk and signing will both take place at the Midtown Arts Center. Tickets for this event cost $5 and serve as a coupon for $5 off The End of All Things.

On July 31st we hosted a big Waldo Party to raffle off prizes for the Waldo Seekers! Waldo himself even showed up! After the event, Waldo stopped by some of our favorite Old Town businesses. Did you spot Waldo while he was in town?

First he went to the Bean Cycle for a fresh cup of coffee! It’s very important for Waldo to stay alert during his travels.

After that, Waldo swung by Kansas City Kitty to check out the latest fashions. Not that he would ever part with his red & white striped shirt…

But of course, Waldo was most excited to hunt for his books at the Old Firehouse! See where else Waldo went and then stop by our store to find a Waldo book of your own!

Local Children’s author Natasha Wing is our featured community member this month! She is the author of the “Night Before” series and a store favorite to have at events and part of our store. At this points she is almost an honorary employee!

Driver Wang is sitting in his taxi when the first letter arrives and he is unsure if this is a prank or the truth. When more letters arrive, describing his past lives and how he is bound to the author of the letters, Wang’s life begins to unwind. Seamlessly jumping from Wang’s present and past, to his past lives, Susan Barker has written a wonderfully unique story that is steeped in Chinese history and folklore. I will be highly recommending to any readers that enjoy a rare story that sweeps them in and doesn’t let go.

The Fifth Season is a further testament to Jemisin’s ability to craft compellingly readable feats of world- and character-building. The novel is focused around three intertwining narratives and laced with cynicism, tears, and existential terror. The post-apocalyptic angle works well with the setting and the “magic system” (it doesn’t seem like quite the right term for the setting, hence the quotes) is a geology nerd’s dream. There are raw parallels to race relations, and a few horrifyingly uncomfortable and nausea-inducing scenes that are still with me months later. Jemisin remains, as always, a master of emotional immersion.

For all the magnificent and interesting world-building, at its heart, The Fifth Season is a tense, nerve-wracking, character-driven novel.

As usual, I can’t wait to see where Jemisin takes the next book in the series.

(AND, if you haven’t checked out our new sci-fi fantasy book club, our first book is Jemisin’s The Killing Moon!)

Grace, Jory and Frances have been raised in a devout Christian household. No dancing, no TV, no music; just church. When Grace abruptly comes back from a mission in Mexico pregnant, she swears it’s God’s child. Disappointed and worried what the church will think of their family, Oren (their father) takes Grace and Jory to a secluded house outside of their town. Being abandoned by the people that are suppose to care for them the most triggers a series of actions from both the girls. Val Brelinski has written an outstanding novel that explores how relationships shapes us and just what family means during good times or bad. Will highly recommend!

Very pleasantly surprised, considering what a letdown Alison Weir’s historical fiction was for me. Maybe the more wildly different from your non-fiction the better? (Though, now I’m totally up for Herman tackling Vatican politics and adding a dash of the dark arts.)

I’m a huge fan of the 4th-century BC setting, which hasn’t received ANY love in YA, as far as I know. The addition of magic didn’t detract from the historical aspects. I loved the allusions to Greek and Zoroastrian mythology and, of course, the stunning amount of historical detail (I could read descriptions of amphorae and Thracian helmets for days).

All six POV characters were engaging, and I was especially thrilled to see Cynane finally given another part in historical fiction (sadly nothing since Renault’s “Funeral Games”). A real-life warrior princess, come on, there are tons of narrative opportunities there!

Historical fiction fans and fantasy fans will both love this. Plenty of blood magic rituals, assassinations attempts, and kidnappings to make everyone happy.

Now the ultimate level, the level I want to aspire to, is having all of my books in a spread sheet/library listing that allows me to check off what has been read. What I want to read. What genre and ratings. Along with information if I lend the book out to friends or family. Then I know who to track it down from in the case of it going MIA.